EP1866142A1 - Widerstandsschweissen von thermoplasten - Google Patents

Widerstandsschweissen von thermoplasten

Info

Publication number
EP1866142A1
EP1866142A1 EP05731970A EP05731970A EP1866142A1 EP 1866142 A1 EP1866142 A1 EP 1866142A1 EP 05731970 A EP05731970 A EP 05731970A EP 05731970 A EP05731970 A EP 05731970A EP 1866142 A1 EP1866142 A1 EP 1866142A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
articles
heating element
side edges
electrodes
electrode
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05731970A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1866142A4 (de
Inventor
Ali Yousefpour
Marc-Andre Octeau
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
National Research Council of Canada
Original Assignee
National Research Council of Canada
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by National Research Council of Canada filed Critical National Research Council of Canada
Publication of EP1866142A1 publication Critical patent/EP1866142A1/de
Publication of EP1866142A4 publication Critical patent/EP1866142A4/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3404—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/344—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint being a woven or non-woven fabric or being a mesh
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3404—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/3444—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint being a ribbon, band or strip
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3468—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the means for supplying heat to said heated elements which remain in the join, e.g. special electrical connectors of windings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/13—Single flanged joints; Fin-type joints; Single hem joints; Edge joints; Interpenetrating fingered joints; Other specific particular designs of joint cross-sections not provided for in groups B29C66/11 - B29C66/12
    • B29C66/131—Single flanged joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being rigid and flanged in the joint area
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/345—Progressively making the joint, e.g. starting from the middle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/47—Joining single elements to sheets, plates or other substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/474—Joining single elements to sheets, plates or other substantially flat surfaces said single elements being substantially non-flat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/52—Joining tubular articles, bars or profiled elements
    • B29C66/524—Joining profiled elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/721—Fibre-reinforced materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/739—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/7392—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
    • B29C66/73921—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/816—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8161—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps said pressing elements being supported or backed-up by springs or by resilient material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
    • B29C66/822—Transmission mechanisms
    • B29C66/8221—Scissor or lever mechanisms, i.e. involving a pivot point
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
    • B29C66/822—Transmission mechanisms
    • B29C66/8223—Worm or spindle mechanisms
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/834—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/8341—Roller, cylinder or drum types; Band or belt types; Ball types
    • B29C66/83411—Roller, cylinder or drum types
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/834—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/8341—Roller, cylinder or drum types; Band or belt types; Ball types
    • B29C66/83411—Roller, cylinder or drum types
    • B29C66/83413—Roller, cylinder or drum types cooperating rollers, cylinders or drums
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/836—Moving relative to and tangentially to the parts to be joined, e.g. transversely to the displacement of the parts to be joined, e.g. using a X-Y table
    • B29C66/8362—Rollers, cylinders or drums moving relative to and tangentially to the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/843—Machines for making separate joints at the same time in different planes; Machines for making separate joints at the same time mounted in parallel or in series
    • B29C66/8432—Machines for making separate joints at the same time mounted in parallel or in series
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/92—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/922—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by measuring the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/9221—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by measuring the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by measuring the pressure, the force or the mechanical power
    • B29C66/92211—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by measuring the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by measuring the pressure, the force or the mechanical power with special measurement means or methods
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3404—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/342—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint comprising at least a single wire, e.g. in the form of a winding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3472—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the composition of the heated elements which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/3476—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the composition of the heated elements which remain in the joint being metallic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3472—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the composition of the heated elements which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/3484—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the composition of the heated elements which remain in the joint being non-metallic
    • B29C65/3492—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the composition of the heated elements which remain in the joint being non-metallic being carbon
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3472—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the composition of the heated elements which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/3484—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the composition of the heated elements which remain in the joint being non-metallic
    • B29C65/3496—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the composition of the heated elements which remain in the joint being non-metallic with a coating, e.g. a metallic or a carbon coating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/721—Fibre-reinforced materials
    • B29C66/7212—Fibre-reinforced materials characterised by the composition of the fibres
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/92—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/924—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/9241—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force or the mechanical power
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/93—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the speed
    • B29C66/934—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the speed by controlling or regulating the speed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/96—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process
    • B29C66/961—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process involving a feedback loop mechanism, e.g. comparison with a desired value
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2023/00—Use of polyalkenes or derivatives thereof as moulding material
    • B29K2023/10—Polymers of propylene
    • B29K2023/12—PP, i.e. polypropylene
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2071/00—Use of polyethers, e.g. PEEK, i.e. polyether-etherketone or PEK, i.e. polyetherketone or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2079/00—Use of polymers having nitrogen, with or without oxygen or carbon only, in the main chain, not provided for in groups B29K2061/00 - B29K2077/00, as moulding material
    • B29K2079/08—PI, i.e. polyimides or derivatives thereof
    • B29K2079/085—Thermoplastic polyimides, e.g. polyesterimides, PEI, i.e. polyetherimides, or polyamideimides; Derivatives thereof
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2101/00—Use of unspecified macromolecular compounds as moulding material
    • B29K2101/12—Thermoplastic materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2305/00—Use of metals, their alloys or their compounds, as reinforcement
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/30—Vehicles, e.g. ships or aircraft, or body parts thereof
    • B29L2031/3097—Cosmonautical vehicles; Rockets
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/17—Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means
    • Y10T156/1702—For plural parts or plural areas of single part
    • Y10T156/1712—Indefinite or running length work

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for continuously welding thermoplastic materials and in particular thermoplastic polymer composites.
  • thermoplastic composites are widely used, particularly in the aerospace industry. As the use of such composites has increased, the need for effective and reliable methods for joining the composites has continued to grow.
  • Traditional methods of joining thermoplastic composite parts include adhesive bonding and mechanical fastening, both of which are tedious, labor intensive and costly. Extensive surface preparation, long curing times of adhesives and poor bonding properties between adhesives and the thermoplastic polymers make adhesive bonding undesirable.
  • Mechanical fastening methods suffer from problems arising from stress concentration, galvanic corrosion, mismatch of coefficient of thermal expansion and damage to reinforcing fibers induced by drilling.
  • thermoplastic composite materials have been fusion bonded by induction welding, ultrasonic welding and, to a limited extent, by resistance welding.
  • Resistance welding has been identified as a promising technique among various fusion bonding methods. Resistance welding is based on the principle of placing a layer of conductive material called a heating element between the surfaces of the parts to be joined. An electrical current is applied to the heating element to increase the temperature thereof as a result of resistance heating. The heat causes the surrounding thermoplastic polymer to melt. Under the application of pressure, molecular diffusion occurs at the interface and when the joint is cooled the polymer solidifies resulting in a weld. Resistance welding of small pieces, e.g. lap welding of coupon size pieces is a fast process with short welding times ranging from 1 to 5 minutes with little to no surface preparation. In addition, the welding equipment is simple and inexpensive and can be made portable for repair purposes.
  • a continuous weld is produced by clamping electrodes to pairs of tabs and applying voltage and pressure. After the first weld cools, another section of the weld is made using a second pair of tabs to produce a weld overlapping the first weld. It will be appreciated that producing a continuous weld by this method is a much more lengthy procedure than the production of the same weld using a single heating and cooling operation.
  • An object of the present invention is to meet the above defined need by providing a relatively simple apparatus and method for continuously welding thermoplastic materials.
  • the invention relates to an apparatus for resistance welding of two thermoplastic articles
  • a support for supporting the articles in overlapping relationship
  • a resistance heating element for positioning between said articles in an area of overlap along a length to be welded, said heating element having a width sufficient to span a weld area and extend outwardly beyond the area of overlap providing two exposed side edges of the heating element; electrodes for connection to respective ones of said two side edges of said heating element; a compactor for pressing said articles together in said weld area following melting of the articles to effect welding of the articles; and a drive for moving at least one said electrode and compactor in synchronism relative to said articles along said weld area with said compactor behind at least one said electrode, whereby said articles are pressed together in said weld area following melting of the articles to effect welding of the articles.
  • the invention relates to a method of resistance welding two thermoplastic articles comprising the steps of: placing a heating element between an overlapping area of said articles to define a weld area between overlapping side edges of the articles with the heating element extending outwardly beyond said side edges; effecting relative movement between electrodes in contact with said heating element and the articles while applying current to the electrodes to effect localized heating of the weld area sufficient to create a moving, localized melt zone; and applying pressure to said articles in the localized melt zone of the weld area immediately following creation of said localized melt zone to fuse the articles together.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic top view of an apparatus for resistance welding of two layers of thermoplastic composite material
  • Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic end view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 ;
  • Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of the two layers during a welding operation;
  • Figure 5 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention as seen from one side;
  • Figure 6 is an isometric view of the apparatus of Fig. 5 as seen from the other side;
  • Figure 7 is a schematic end view of the bottom portion of the apparatus of Figs. 5 and 6;
  • Figure 8 is a schematic isometric view of a pressure roller assembly and an electrode mounting assembly used in the apparatus of Figs. 5 and 6;
  • Figure 9 is an isometric view of the pressure, roller of Fig. 8 and two electrode mounting assemblies used in the apparatus of Figs. 5 and 6;
  • Figure 10 is a schematic top view of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the invention.
  • Figure 11 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of Fig. 10;
  • Figure 12 is a schematic end view of the apparatus of Fig. 10;
  • Figure 13 is a schematic side view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 14 is a schematic end view of the apparatus of Fig. 13.
  • a first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention includes a baseplate 1 for supporting a pair of overlapping top and bottom layers 2 and 3, respectively of thermoplastic material with a resistance heating element 4 sandwiched between the layers 2 and 3.
  • the heating element 4 extends laterally outwardly beyond the area of overlap between the layers 2 and 3 both beneath the top layer 2 and above the bottom layer 3.
  • the layers 2 and 3 are composed, at least in part, of thermoplastic polymer film such as polypropylene (PP), polyetherimide (PEI) or polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and the heating element
  • PP polypropylene
  • PEI polyetherimide
  • PEEK polyetheretherketone
  • the top and bottom layers may be a thermoplastic composite, in which case layers of neat thermoplastic material are provided between the top layer 2 and the heating element 4 and between the bottom layer 3 and the heating element 4.
  • the heating element 4 may be embedded in the neat thermoplastic material or in the surface of one of the layers 2 and 3. Electrical power in the form of direct current is supplied to the heating element 4 via electrodes 5 and 6.
  • the electrode 5 is in the form of a roller rotatably mounted on the bottom end of an inverted L-shaped support arm 7.
  • the electrode 6 is used to ground the heating element 4.
  • Other forms of electrodes such as a wire brush, a shoe or a knife can be used for supplying power to one side of the heating element 4.
  • alternating current or pulsed current can be supplied to the heating element.
  • the support arm 7 is connected to one end of a crossbar 8 extending between the sides 9 of a frame rotatably supporting a cylindrical compaction or pressure roller 10.
  • thermoplastic material becomes molten.
  • the melt area 13 lies in front of a line of pressure applied by the pressure roller 10 which encourages even distribution of the melt, correcting for any unevenness of the heating and melting of the thermoplastic material, although the application of the electrical power across a minimum separation straddling the weld area typically ensures a relatively even melting of the thermoplastic material.
  • the layers 2 and 3 are fused to each other and to the heating element 4. Since the pressure and the electrical power level can be controlled, a consistent bond can be achieved without stopping the welding operation, i.e. in a continuous operation.
  • a second embodiment of the invention includes a baseplate 16 on which a drive assembly 17 is mounted.
  • the assembly 17 is defined by a rectangular cross section housing 18 with an open top end.
  • a drive member in the form of a motor and actuator 19 is mounted in one end of the housing 18.
  • the shaft 20 of the motor and actuator 19 is fixedly connected to a slide (not shown), which carries a work table 21.
  • the motor is reversible for moving the table 21 in two directions longitudinally of the housing 18.
  • a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or a screw drive can be used.
  • the table 21 supports overlapping layers, in this case panels 24 and 25, formed of a thermoplastic composite during a welding procedure.
  • the panels 24 and 25 are clamped in position on the table 21 by a pair of strips 26, which are slidably mounted for transverse movement on the table 21.
  • Slots 27 in each end of the table 21 receive bolts 28, which permit sliding of the strips 26 transversely of the table.
  • Nuts (not shown) beneath the table 21 are used to fix the strips 26 in position on the panels 24 and 25.
  • Posts 30 extending upwardly from the sides of the baseplate 16 support a pair of crossbars 32.
  • a second drive assembly indicated generally at 33 is mounted on the crossbars 32.
  • the assembly 33 includes a housing 34 (similar to the housing 18) with an open front end.
  • the shaft 36 of a linear motor 37 mounted on the top end 38 of the housing 34 carries a slide 39 for effecting vertical movement at the slide.
  • a compaction or pressure assembly is mounted on the slide 39.
  • the pressure assembly includes a disc-shaped roller 40 rotatably mounted in a clevis 41 (Figs. 6 to 9) for rolling on the overlapping edges, i.e. the weld area of the panels 24 and 25.
  • the clevis 41 is suspended from a pressure gauge 42, which is carried by a threaded rod 44 extending upwardly through a bar 45 on the bottom end of a plate 46, which is connected to the slide 39.
  • the pressure gauge 42 provides an indication of the pressure exerted by the roller 40 on the panels 24 and 25.
  • the pressure gauge 42 may be connected to a control system (not shown) for controlling, inter alia, both pressure to the roller 40 and the rate of movement of the panels.
  • the upper end of the rod 44 is retained in the bar 45 by nuts 48.
  • the composite panels 24 and 25 are placed on the table 21 with their sides in overlapping relationship.
  • a heating element 49 in the form of a strip of metal mesh (Figs. 7 and 8) is placed between the overlapping edges of the panels 24 and 25 in the weld area.
  • the strip.49 extends outwardly beyond the side edges of the top and bottom panels 24 and 25, i.e. is exposed on the upper surface of the bottom panel 25 and the lower surface of the top panel 24.
  • Top and bottom disc-shaped, electrodes 50 and 51 respectively are in constant contact with the strip 49 on opposite sides of the weld area.
  • the top, positive electrode 50 is mounted on a cylinder 53, which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 54.
  • the shaft 54 is fixedly mounted on the lower end of an inclined pivot arm
  • the upper end of the pivot arm 55 is rotatably mounted on one end of an axle 56 by means of a bearing 57 (Fig. 8).
  • the other end of the axle 56 is fixedly mounted in the outer, free end of an arm 58, which extends outwardly from one side of the clevis 41.
  • One end of a coil spring 60 on the axle 56 is fixedly mounted in an ear 61 mounted on the axle 56, and the other end of the spring extends into the arm 55 beneath the bearing 57.
  • the electrode 50 is biased downwardly against the heating element 49.
  • the second electrode 51 extends upwardly through a longitudinally extending slot 62 (Figs. 7 and 9) in the table 21 into contact with the bottom of the heating element 49 on the opposite side of the pressure roller 40 from the electrode 50.
  • the electrode 51 is rotatably mounted on a cylinder 63 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 64.
  • the other end of the shaft 64 is fixedly mounted on the top end of an inclined pivot arm 65.
  • the bottom end of the pivot arm 65 is rotatably mounted on one end of an axle 66.
  • the other end of the axle 66 is fixedly mounted in the outer free end of an arm 68 which extends outwardly from an L-bracket 69 on the baseplate 16.
  • FIGs. 10 to 12 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention which is intended to weld an inverted T-shaped rib 75 to a panel 76.
  • the panel 76 is supported by a baseplate 77.
  • a resistance heating element 78 is placed on the panel 76. The width of the element 78 is sufficient that the element extends outwardly beyond both side edges 80 of the rib 75.
  • Electrodes 81 are rotatably mounted on the bottom ends of inverted L-shaped support arms 82.
  • the arms 82 are suspended from the ends of a crossbar 83 extending between the sides 85 of a frame, which supports a compaction or pressure roller 86.
  • the two electrodes 81 advance along the exposed sides of the heating element 78.
  • the compaction roller 86 which follows the electrodes 81 in the direction of the arrow 87 (Fig.
  • thermoplastic rib 75 presses the thermoplastic rib 75 against the heating element 78 and the panel 76 to fuse the rib and panel together.
  • compaction roller 86 applies pressure to a top edge of the inverted -shaped rib 75, as an alternative or in addition pressure may be applied to a top of the base of the rib 75 by suitably modifying the shape or number of compaction rollers.
  • a conformable shoe or other pressure application device may be used in other embodiments to provide pressure depending, inter alia, on topologies of the pieces to be joined, and the smoothness of the top surfaces of the piece to be joined.
  • the apparatus of Figs. 13 and 14 is identical to the apparatus of Figs. 10 to 12, except that the baseplate is replaced by a second compaction roller 88.
  • the roller 88 which is vertically aligned with the roller 86, is rotatably mounted on a frame 89 which moves in unison with the roller 86 in the direction of the arrow 87.
  • a pair of compaction rollers may be used in the situations in which high pressure is required.
  • the apparatuses described above can be used to weld most thermoplastic- based materials.
  • the process is significantly faster than producing welds at overlapping areas in sequence, provides more consistent welds throughout long connections, and is simple, inexpensive and clean.
  • the process can be applied to large structures and to other topologies.
  • the method described above permits continuous welding of overlapping portions of at least two thermoplastic or thermoplastic composite parts under well-controlled processing conditions. In the method welding occurs in a continuous gradual manner as opposed to welding the entire parts at once or welding individual segments of the weld one at a time.
  • the system controls and provides excellent temperature distribution, minimizing discontinuities in the weld area.
  • the production of the melt zone, and the power and pressure requirements for the system depend only on the width of the weld area and are independent from the length of weld area. These capabilities substantially increase the capacity of this process for welding large parts.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
EP05731970.9A 2005-04-08 2005-04-08 Widerstandsschweissen von thermoplasten Withdrawn EP1866142A4 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/CA2005/000529 WO2006105632A1 (en) 2005-04-08 2005-04-08 Resistance welding of thermoplastics

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1866142A1 true EP1866142A1 (de) 2007-12-19
EP1866142A4 EP1866142A4 (de) 2015-03-04

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05731970.9A Withdrawn EP1866142A4 (de) 2005-04-08 2005-04-08 Widerstandsschweissen von thermoplasten

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20090032184A1 (de)
EP (1) EP1866142A4 (de)
CA (1) CA2604307C (de)
WO (1) WO2006105632A1 (de)

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GB2525614A (en) * 2014-04-29 2015-11-04 Tods Aerospace Ltd Resistance welding of thermoplastic composite components
DE102018119991A1 (de) * 2018-08-16 2020-02-20 Airbus Operations Gmbh Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Verbinden thermoplastischer Bauteile durch Widerstandsschweißen, insbesondere für die Herstellung von Luftfahrzeugen
EP3611010A1 (de) * 2018-08-16 2020-02-19 Airbus Operations GmbH Heizelement, vorrichtung und verfahren zum widerstandsschweissen von thermoplastischen komponenten, insbesondere zur herstellung von flugzeugen, und flugzeug
DE102018119990A1 (de) * 2018-08-16 2020-02-20 Airbus Operations Gmbh Heizelement, System und Verfahren zum Widerstandsschweißen thermoplastischer Bauteile, insbesondere für die Herstellung von Luftfahrzeugen
CN111745981A (zh) * 2020-07-21 2020-10-09 大连理工大学 一种热塑性复合材料的双机器人辅助电阻焊接设备
WO2022054152A1 (ja) * 2020-09-09 2022-03-17 三菱重工業株式会社 融着方法および融着装置
WO2022064568A1 (ja) * 2020-09-23 2022-03-31 三菱重工業株式会社 接合方法および構造体
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Publication number Publication date
CA2604307A1 (en) 2006-10-12
US20090032184A1 (en) 2009-02-05
EP1866142A4 (de) 2015-03-04
CA2604307C (en) 2013-01-29
WO2006105632A1 (en) 2006-10-12

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